New League of Legends Champion: Mel Abilities, Looks, and Release Date
"We can't wait for you to see her in-game."
A new Summoner's Rift, a new Epic monster, and now, a new champion. Riot Games has announced that Mel Medarda will be the newest champion addition to League of Legends. After featuring prominently in Season 2 of Arcane, Mel is ready to make the leap to Summoner's Rift, promising an exciting new type of gameplay.
If you're eager to try out Mel, you will not have to wait long, as the latest champion will be officially introduced to League of Legends with the release of patch 25.S1.2, set to hit the live servers on January 23rd. To honor the Noxian-themed first Season of the year, Mel will be unlockable for free as one of the seasonal missions.
Mel's journey is far from over. (Credit: Riot Games)Mel: Kit and Abilities
"And along with the new look, she'll also be bringing a new type of gameplay that we haven't had in League before: projectile reflection."
Mel's kit promises a fresh new approach for the game, meaning it may well take some getting used to. Change, however, is nothing if not exciting. While the entirety of her kit is yet to be officially revealed, this is what you can expect from Mel's abilities once her release hits:
- Passive: Mel's attacks and abilities fire extra missiles, which stack on enemies. Stacks detonate to execute an enemy once a certain numbers of stacks have been reached.
- Q: Mel will shoot an area-of-effect projectile that slows enemies. Enemies hit at the center of the projectile will be rooted instead.
- W: This ability will grant a reflective shield, also providing a burst of movement speed. Any projectile that comes into contact with the shield will be reflected back towards the attacker.
- E: The ability will deal damage in ticks inside an area. Will tick up to 6 times before expiring.
- R: Mel's ultimate will detonate all her passive stacks on enemy targets, without consuming them. This means that after dealing a burst of damage, the passive stacks will still remain on the enemy in order to execute them if the stack threshold is reached.
Mel's W will reflect projectiles such as Jinx ultimate. (Credit: Riot Games)Mel: Look and Skins
In League of Legends, Mel will don a slightly different look than the one we've grown accustomed to in Arcane. To honor her Noxian roots, Mel's base skin will see her wearing an attire of Noxian looks and colors.
Mel's base skin will pay homage to her Noxian heritage. (Credit: Riot Games)If you'd like to play as the version of Mel seen on the show, however, you'll still be able to do so. Mel's first skin, which will be made available with her release, will be none other than Arcane Councilor Mel.
When does Mel release in League of Legends?
To play as Mel in League of Legends you will not have to wait very long. As confirmed by Riot Games, Mel will become available as early as Thursday, January 23rd.
Councilor of Piltover, daughter of Ambessa Medarda, and latest champion addition to the game, Mel will be added to League of Legends with the release of patch 25.S1.2. Remember that given her link to Noxus and the new Noxian-themed Season, Mel will be unlockable for free as one of the game's missions.
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Image source: Riot Games
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